Post by Veronica Eyenga, contributing Women On Business writer
The ideal leader inspires her employees to achieve exceptional results every single day. But in order to become the ideal boss, you first need to determine which type of leader you are currently. Below are four different types of leaders. Which one are you?
Do you run your company like you run your home? If so, you’re a nurturing leader. Being a nurturing leader means that you center your personal behavior on what is going to help most in your employees’ development. You discuss things like career goals with them and include them in the company’s decision-making process.
The key to success for this kind of leader is maintaining a line between nurturing and mothering employees. Don’t become a doormat to your employees.
Do you demand perfections for your employees or occasionally place unrealistic demands on them? If so, you’re a perfectionist leader. Perfectionist leaders tend to have little or no patience for mistakes or questions and will sometimes berate or embarrass employees by telling them they aren’t good enough.
The key to success for this kind of leader is trying to be open to employee questions or concerns. When someone comes to you, realize that they are only asking in order to maintain your standards of excellence as well as the customers.
Do your employees come to you with all of their problems, both professional and personal? If so, then you’re a nice leader. Nice leaders are those who listen to employees and customers and work themselves to the bone trying to solve the problems of others.
The key to success for this kind of leader is avoiding involvement in personal problems. If an employee needs to talk, lend them an ear. But avoid blurring or crossing the lines between work lives and personal lives.
Do you believe in leading by example and mentoring employees? If so, then you’re a commander leader. As a commander leader, you have the ability to communicate clearly with your employees. You help them understand where you want to go and why they should want to go with you.
The key to success for this kind of leader is remembering that teamwork is paramount. Check your ego at the door and remember that you won’t get to where you want to go without the support of your employees.
Whatever type of leader you are, remember that it is your job to inspire your employees. A successful business is determined by the success of the employees. The success of employees rests on the shoulders of the leader. So, who will you inspire today?
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
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